Ku Klux Klan in Suffolk County (Babylon, Smithtown: law, shopping mall, gangs)

[bluenoter]

I saw a story on CNN this afternoon about the KKK in Suffolk County wreaking havoc. I thought the Klan was only in Red States. What's up?

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by bluenoter

I saw a story on CNN this afternoon about the KKK in Suffolk County wreaking havoc. I thought the Klan was only in Red States. What's up?

Well they were putting out leaflets about their "cause," not actually wreaking havoc. And, for what it's worth, they were from out of state (Michigan, another Blue State).

I saw something on TV about the Klan and actually places like Smithtown and Freeport, LI, were Klan strongholds in the 1920's.

At one time the Klan was very popular all over America, not only in "Red States" until a Grand Dragon from Indiana was convicted of the rape/murder of a young woman and then most people dissociated themselves with it and they lost a tremendous amount of membership.

[Smash255]

Some leaflets dropped in a few train stations (Deer Park and Babylon), very disgusting. However, there were no signs than the Klan is active in any way shape or form on Long Island, the recent incident in Louisiana is very disturbing, but we do have some problems of our own here as this case, and what happened in Mastic and especially out in Patchogue recently have shown.

[omigawd]

There is a Klan in Suffolk county.... I remember when I first moved out here from NYC and there was a big to-do because the Klan wanted to hold a rally near some shopping mall in Smithtown (I think). Not to mention the Klan leaving leaflets on cars at the Deer Park LIRR parking lot.

They may not be an overt operation out here, but you can best believe they're here. And it's a disgrace.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by omigawd

There is a Klan in Suffolk county.... I remember when I first moved out here from NYC and there was a big to-do because the Klan wanted to hold a rally near some shopping mall in Smithtown (I think). Not to mention the Klan leaving leaflets on cars at the Deer Park LIRR parking lot.

They may not be an overt operation out here, but you can best believe they're here. And it's a disgrace.

Now that you mention that I do remember hearing something about the rally (early 90's IIRC) Unfortunately it exists everywhere to some extent or another and Long Island is no exception. With that being said, I wouldn't say it exists in any strong numbers or with any real level of organization here on Long Island, and surely nothing like the organization in that group down in Louisiana. What happened down there is as disturbing as it gets considering the level of organization that was involved.

[Johninwestbury]

While what is going on with the KKK trying to recruit members and intimidate people is disgusting, so is any other kind of racism. Why is it that only racist activities by whites are allowed to be discussed in the media? What about organizations like La Raza (The Race) who believe Chicanos are superior are praised? They are the equivalent to the Mexican KKK.
If we are truly going to do something about reducing racism we will need to have EVERYBODY obey the rules, not just whites. If not, incidents like the recent KKK ones in Suffolk will only get worse.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by Johninwestbury

While what is going on with the KKK trying to recruit members and intimidate people is disgusting, so is any other kind of racism. Why is it that only racist activities by whites are allowed to be discussed in the media? What about organizations like La Raza (The Race) who believe Chicanos are superior are praised? They are the equivalent to the Mexican KKK.
If we are truly going to do something about reducing racism we will need to have EVERYBODY obey the rules, not just whites. If not, incidents like the recent KKK ones in Suffolk will only get worse.

Did you seriously just try and compare La Raza to the KKK??

[llama8]

I teach Criminal Law in HS and I remember a year ago I was doing research about gangs (Boods, crips, ms-13 and the Aryan Brotherhood) for my class and I came across the KKK and Aryan Brotherhood active in Suffolk county. I don't know how active they really are, but I was shocked to find them on LI. I have read that across the nation, KKK membership is increasing due to their presence on the internet. It's very sad.

[SadieLu]

Originally Posted by bluenoter

I saw a story on CNN this afternoon about the KKK in Suffolk County wreaking havoc. I thought the Klan was only in Red States. What's up?

I didn't see that show but I'm not sure "wreaking havoc" is accurate. The MEDIA gets a story and runs with it, embellishing and making a lot out of nothing. Leaflets, etc are just disposed of by most people; the information ignored. But making an incident like that a national news story, to me, just adds fuel to what wasn't really a fire! A group of kids writing ugly things is just stupiity, boredom, bad upbringing but certainly nothing worthy of a story on CNN. Would it have been such a big story if it happened last year?
And yes, I believe at one time (20's/30's)the area of Eastport was VERY active in KKK activities.

[mrdkb]

I moved to the South from LI 3 years and LI's brand of racism is worst!!! My dad, (70 years old), moved us out to LI when he was in his late 20's. He is a very patrioctic man. Voted for McCain. He's conservative. This is what he revealed to me this week in his NC home: "I've been all over (he was in the Air Force) - Louisanna, Arkansas, the deep south, and I 'll tell, LI is the most racist place I've been in" By the way, there are now a few incidents of Hispanics getting murdered on that poor white trash Island.